The Coño Boy 6: Ten Lifetimes With You

Chapter Forty-Three: Sunduan

Calle Real
Poblacion
San Angel
31 May 2019
4:04 pm

Drake makes his way along the sidewalk with a half consumed bottled water in his hand and his camera.

Kuya Kiko: Sir Drake, saan po kayo galing?

One of the encargados ask him as he makes a right turn at the big gate leading into Casa de Arrastia's driveway. Kuya Kiko is wearing a powder blue collared shirt with the "Auspice Maria" symbol embroidered on the left chest. Drake notes how well put together Kuya Kiko is from his usual loose shirts and worn out shorts. He even wears a matching light blue cap which he removes upon reaching Drake.

Drake: Bumili lang po ng aspirin parang mina-migraine po ako.

He informs Kuya Kiko.

Kuya Kiko: Hindi naman po ba kayo puyat niyan? Kumain po ba kayo ng tanghalian? Baka po kailangan niyo muna maidlip saglit?

He asks all three questions feeling quite concerned.

Drake: Okay naman po ang tulog ko. Baka po sa weather lang.

Drake quells the encargado's worry by attributing it to the weather.

Kuya Kiko: Malamig nga po mag-damag at medyo ma-alinsangan na ngayong hapon.

The sound of sky rockets echoes from afar.

Kuya Kiko: Nariyan na po ata ang mga sinundong Sagala.

The tune being played by the marching band coming the far corner of Calle Real calls Drake's attention. The majorettes lead the march for the band to turn left towards the direction of Casa de Arrastia. Even the uniforms of the majorettes and the marching band are meant for the occasion: white, light blue, and gold.

Five open top local horsedrawn carriages follow the marching band. Four of them are occupied by Sagalas holding up white parasols to shade themselves from the late afternoon sun.

Lolo Luis: Ah, Nariyan na pala sila!

Drake turns to his left to find Doctor Francia craning his neck, waiting for the marching band to reach them.

Drake: I didn't realize that the Sunduan would be this early.

Drake comments as he clicks away with his camera.

_ _ _

The music swells as the marching band nears them. And as soon as the majorettes reach the gate of Casa de Arrastia, they switch from batons to flags of light blue and white to offer a short choreographed dance facing the carroza of Inang.

Small sky rockets called "kwitis" are launched periodically. Some close and others a fair distance from the poblacion from the sounds that could be heard.

Lolo Luis: Alam mo ba hindi na ginagawa ang pag-sundo sa mga Sagala sa mga ibang bayan pag Flores de Mayo?

The elderly doctor tells Drake.

Drake: Why is that?

Lolo Luis: Diyan na papasok yung sinasabi nating "some traditions are unique to particular places".

The tiburin park themselves on the other side of Calle Real facing Casa de Arrastia.

Lolo Luis: Masuerte lang ang San Angel at nariyan pa rin ang Familia Natividad kasi may mga alaga pa rin silang mga kabayo at napapakinabangan pa rin sa mga taniman iyang mga tiburin.

Looking at the tiburin parked along the sidewalk as the majorettes offer their dance, these are utilitarian horsedrawn vehicles constructed more like rickshaws that could sit two people at the back with a narrow seat for the driver at the front.